A PhD program in Urban and Rural Planning is a research-intensive interdisciplinary field focused on advancing knowledge and developing innovative approaches to sustainable, resilient, and inclusive spatial development. The program emphasizes original research in areas such as urban and regional planning, land use, rural development, transportation, housing, infrastructure, environmental planning, geographic information systems, spatial analysis, and public policy. Through empirical research, spatial modeling, geospatial technologies, field investigation, and evidence-based analysis, doctoral researchers examine complex challenges related to urbanization, rural transformation, resource management, climate resilience, and sustainable territorial development, contributing new knowledge to planning theory, policy, and practice.